The Ghanaian government, through the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), has announced that the producer price of cocoa for the 2026 Light Crop Season will remain intact despite dropping worldwide cocoa prices, thereby protecting farmer earnings throughout the forthcoming harvest.
Purchases for the 2026 Light Crop Season will start on Thursday, June 18, 2026, according to a circular issued by Dr Francis Baah, the Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Agronomy and Quality Control.
For Grade I and II cocoa beans, the producer price would continue to be GH¢1,241.76 per load of 30 kg and GH¢2,587.00 per bag of 64 kg gross. A tonne of cocoa, or sixteen bags, will therefore continue to fetch GH¢41,392.00.
The ruling demonstrates the government’s dedication to safeguarding cocoa farmers’ earnings and means of subsistence notwithstanding a decline in global cocoa prices. In anticipation of the upcoming light crop season, the government hopes to give farmers security and confidence by keeping the existing producer price.
Compared to the main harvest season, the light crop season, which usually lasts from June to September, produces less cocoa annually in Ghana. After Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana continues to be the world’s second-largest producer of cocoa, which is a significant source of foreign exchange for the nation.
In recent months, the price of cocoa has fluctuated globally, showing a negative trend that would typically result in decreased farmer incomes. However, farmers won’t be hardest hit by the global market decline because the government decided to maintain the producer price.
To guarantee a seamless start to cocoa purchases across the country, the announcement has been shared with important stakeholders in the cocoa industry, such as Licensed Buying Companies, COCOBOD management, pertinent ministries, and other sector participants.
On June 18th, licensed buying companies are anticipated to start buying cocoa from farmers at the agreed-upon price. Farmers are urged to sell their cocoa beans through authorised channels in order to benefit from the consistent pricing.
The government’s choice to keep the producer price constant comes after similar actions taken in prior seasons to protect farmers from changes in the world market. In order to increase productivity and enhance farmer lives, COCOBOD has recently implemented programs like hand pollination, irrigation, and disease control techniques.
To be eligible for the full producer price, farmers are recommended to make sure their cocoa beans fulfil Grade I and II requirements. In order to prevent being taken advantage of by unauthorised purchasers who might offer lower prices, COCOBOD has also advised farmers to sell only to licensed buying companies.
The major crop season is anticipated to start later in the year, with the light crop season purchases continuing until September 2026. Farmers have received assurances from COCOBOD that all purchases will be completed on time and that procedures for payment and weighing are transparent.
COCOBOD Press Release
Source: newsthemegh.com